The Karnataka state government has established a 24/7 emergency response system as airspace closures across the Middle East disrupt international travel, leaving over one hundred residents of Karnataka stranded, according to a statement released Sunday by Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
The disruptions stem from Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by multiple countries in the region, including Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, effectively halting commercial flights until at least March 2nd. The Ministry of Civil Aviation issued the latest advisory prompting the state’s response, Gowda noted.
Approximately 100 Karnataka residents are currently stranded in the United Arab Emirates, particularly in Dubai, with an additional nine individuals stuck in Bahrain. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed the activation of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and all District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOCs) to provide assistance.
Detailed breakdowns reveal that Ballari district accounts for the largest number of stranded passengers in the UAE, with 32 individuals affected. Bengaluru follows with 25, and Davanagere with 9. Smaller numbers are reported from Kodagu and Vijayapura (four each), Chikkamagaluru (five), Dakshina Kannada, Shivamogga, and Raichur (three each), and Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, Kalaburagi, and Udupi (two each). One resident of Tumakuru is as well stranded.
In Bahrain, four stranded individuals are from Hassan, three from Udupi, and one each from Kodagu and an unspecified district.
The state government is urging Kannadigas in the affected region to follow advisories issued by their respective embassies and to register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal for assistance. Families in coastal Karnataka are reportedly anxious about the safety of relatives working in the region, though expats have indicated they are “safe for now,” according to reports.
The emergency centers are operating around the clock, monitoring the situation and coordinating support for affected residents, officials confirmed.